Face Washing 101: 6 Mistakes You're Making with Your Daily Regimen

However, there are various aspects to each of those seemingly effortless steps that could be robbing you of the benefits of your daily cleansing regimen.

Here are six mistakes you might be making when it comes to your complexion. But, don’t worry; we’re here to help you right your wrongs.

Find a healthy medium. You want your product to be rich enough to supply your face with the nutrients and cleansing properties that you crave. However, utilizing a formula that’s too strong could strip your skin of the healthy oils it needs. You’ll know if yours is too forceful if you start to notice redness, dry spots, and other signs of irritability.

Control your water temperature. Sure, rinsing with hot water feels good, but you’re not doing your skin any favors. Instead, it can throw off its balance and strip it of natural oils, causing over drying and the overproduction of sebum — an acne-causing bacteria. To avoid all this derma drama, rinse with lukewarm H2O.

Don’t be an addict to exfoliation. As with all things, moderation is key. Scrubbing your face excessively with grainy solutions can come with many undesirable consequences like irritation, breakouts and dry spots — especially if you have sensitive skin. Experts suggest you exfoliate no more than twice a week.

Become familiar with key ingredients. Don’t be seduced by fancy brands or packaging. Regardless of a brand’s reputation, make sure you always read its ingredients label. No, it’s not always convenient, but it could help save the appearance of your skin in the long run. Click here for a list of harmful additives to look out for.

Rinse thoroughly. If you don’t completely clear your skin of product, your negligence could lead to build up in your pores. Translation: More breakouts. Yuck. Make sure you’re dousing your face with plenty of water to ensure you rinse off all the surfaces of your outer layer.

Be the master of moisturizing. Many people wait until their face is dry before applying moisturizer. To which we say, don’t! A damp complexion soaks in the beneficial ingredients of a soothing lotion much better! So, rub on your product soon after you’ve rinsed everything off.